Latest news with #HarrysField
The Independent
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
New Forest villagers in battle with upmarket glamping site over fire pit smoke
Neighbours of an upmarket glamping site have complained its disruption and fire smoke is causing people to sell up their houses. Villagers in the quiet hamlet of Frogham say that Harry's Field, in the heart of Hampshire 's New Forest, is a fire hazard that has made locals 'lives a misery'. The campsite, which has previously earned a spot among The Sunday Times' top UK campsites, is run by Vivien Sheriff, a milliner for the Royal Family. When Ms Sheriff put in a planning application to extend the dates the campsite could open up to 52 days last December, villagers responded in uproar to the New Forest National Park Authority council. Some 40 neighbours responded to the campsite owner's application to object to its business expansion plans. Local Stephen Havelock objected publicly, complaining: 'much more noise and loud music has been generated - as well as smoke, intense cooking smells of burgers etc and increased numbers of campers, traffic and parking on the verges.' He said the owners hire out fire pits and sell logs despite the campsite's location nearby several thatched cottages and the new forest, calling it 'a tinderbox in the summer' in a location 'where BBQs and open fires are banned.' Mr Havelock continued that the farm was 'detested by many locals who dread the start of the campsite opening as it makes their lives a misery', adding that he believed multiple residents had sold up and moved away 'because this campsite had made their lives intolerable.' Another local, Doctor Helen Taylor, said they objected 'in the strongest possible terms' to the campsite's request to extend its opening time. 'Neighbouring houses have thatched roofs and the low water pressure in the area would make fighting a significant thatch fire, extremely difficult. 'In addition to the fire risk, this number of fires and barbeques produce large amounts of smoke that drift across our garden and into our house, making it unpleasant to be in the garden in the evening and meaning that we have to keep our doors and windows shut, whatever the weather. 'Other residents have suffered significant worsening of their asthmatic symptoms as a result of this smoke pollution,' she added. Ms Sheriff told The Times: 'Nobody wants a quiet campsite more than we do.' 'There is no way we would be able to run if what [neighbours] were saying is true. We were encouraged to do this by the director of the national park planning team. This has been stormed up by a few people who have an axe to grind.' Harry's Field claims to be a 'tranquil pop-up campsite surrounded by quiet country lanes and hedgerows teeming with wildlife', which provides a family-friendly, dog-friendly camping experience. The owners have stipulated that while fires are allowed, campers can only use fire pits provided by the campsite and disposable barbecues are not allowed due to the wildfire risk they pose. The campsite rents out fire pits for £15 for one night, with prices going up £5 for each additional night. Campers are provided with one load of kiln-dried wood and charged £8 per bucket afterwards for any additional firewood. They have also asked that no music or radios are listened to on site with an 11pm noise curfew. New Forest National Park Authority rejected the application last week on the grounds it would have an 'unacceptable adverse impact' on the neighbouring residents.
Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Campsite's smoky fire pits make our lives ‘misery', claim villagers
The homeowner added that Harry's Field is 'detested' by many locals, who 'dread the campsite opening as it makes their lives a misery'. He said: 'I believe that three residents have sold up and moved away largely because this campsite had made their lives intolerable. Noise, shouting, loud music, excessive smoke and anti-social behaviour being the main causes.' Earlier this month, the residents won a planning battle to stop the site increasing the number of days it is allowed to open from 28 to 52 yearly. The campsite rents out fire pits to guests, costing £15 for one night, £20 for two nights, £25 for three nights, and £30 for four nights. Campers are provided with one load of kiln-dried wood, but are charged £8 a bucket afterwards. Concerns for health and home Helen Taylor, a vet, lives right next to Harry's Field and says she has been 'plagued' by problems caused by the site, which was once voted in the Top 40 UK campsites. She said open fires, as well as gas and charcoal barbecues are used by campers daily. Dr Taylor added: 'Residents have suffered significant worsening of their asthmatic symptoms as a result of this smoke pollution.' Another villager, who lives in a thatched cottage, raised concerns for her health and home in her objection to the planning application made to the New Forest Park Authority. She said she has to keep her windows shut in the summer, adding: 'We have smelt accelerant being used to light fire pits and we can see the flames through the hedge. 'My insurance company won't allow me to have any type of open fire in my garden as my property has a thatched roof, and yet I can watch ash and burning debris being blown towards my property when the wind is in my direction.' 'Many neighbours support our campsite' A spokesman for the campsite said: 'Sadly, these are totally unsubstantiated, unevidenced and hysterical claims. Our closest neighbour to the campsite has a thatched roof and supports our application (there are no other thatched roofs within close proximity of the site at all). Many in the village also support our small and well-run campsite. 'Initially, the head of the parish council told us they could not foresee any issues as any complaints had been whipped up during the Covid years … We have had no complaints from neighbours, or from the parish council or from any environmental body.' Ms Sheriff, whose celebrity clients include the Princess of Wales, said the business would not be able to operate if what the neighbours complained of was true. The 60-year-old added: 'The main fact is nobody wants a quiet campsite more than we do. 'There is no way we would be able to run if what [neighbours] were saying is true. 'We were asked and encouraged to do this by the director of the national park planning team. 'This has been stormed up by a few people who have really got an axe to grind.'
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Smoked out! Villagers living next to a posh campsite claim they are being forced to sell their homes over 'excessive smoke' from trendy fire pits
Neighbours of a posh campsite have claimed trendy fire pits with 'excessive smoke' are forcing them to sell their homes. Villagers in Frogham say Harry's Field in Hampshire's New Forest, which opened in 2015, is a fire hazard and 'intrusive' air pollution has even worsened their asthma. Others have sold up and moved away after the site, which opened in 2015, became 'intolerable' and caused the area to 'stink', the council has been told. The campsite, managed by a renowned hatmaker for the Royal Family, has a population of just over 340, with houses selling for an average price of more than £700,000 last year. The uproar comes as earlier this month, homeowners won a planning battle to stop the site from increasing the number of days it is allowed to open from 28 to 52. Vivien Sheriff - whose designs have been worn by the Duchess of Cambridge - argued the business would not be able to operate if what neighbours complained of was true. The Sheriff family, owner of three campsites in the New Forest, made the application in December last year but were met with strong objections from more than 30 locals. As part of his protest, Steve King, 63, said the fire pits provided by owners have caused a 'major inconvenience' to neighbours as it is 'impossible for people nearby to enjoy their own outdoor spaces during the summer'. The training consultant added the smoke blowing over from the fires 'stinks' - and causes air pollution. Fire pits are rented out to guests by the campsite, costing £15 for one night, £20 for two nights, £25 for three nights, and £30 for four nights. Campers are provided with one 'load' of kiln dried wood, but are charged £8 a bucket afterwards. Objecting publicly, Stephen Havelock said the campsite had brought 'misery, noise and nuisance to this quiet village'. Mr Havelock spoke of the use of fire pits and said the campsite is 'extremely close' to open forest and gorse which is a 'tinderbox in summer'. He said: 'Sparks could also burn and ignite the tents on site with disastrous consequences. 'This makes no sense at all. Just look at the fires in Los Angeles. 'In spite of what the current owners say, BBQs are commonplace.' Harry's Field is home to the annual village fete - famous for its uphill wheelbarrow race - and Ms Sheriff's (pictured) family-run campsite business The homeowner went on to claim Harry's Field is 'detested' by many locals, who 'dread the start of the campsite opening as it makes their lives a misery'. He said: 'I believe that three residents have sold up and moved away largely because this campsite had made their lives intolerable. 'Noise, shouting, loud music, excessive smoke and antisocial behaviour being the main causes.' Helen Taylor, who works as a vet and lives right next to Harry's Field said she has been 'plagued' by problems caused by the campsite, which was once voted in the Top 40 UK campsites. She said open fires as well as gas and charcoal barbeques are used by campers on a 'daily basis'. Dr Taylor added: 'Residents have suffered significant worsening of their asthmatic symptoms as a result of this smoke pollution.' Harry's Field is a family-run business which describes itself as a 'small campsite run by campers for campers'. The site provides facilities like 'proper flushing loos', shower blocks, communal freezers, a campsite shop, a coffee and drinks van, and a pizza oven at weekends. Ms Sheriff, 60, said she was encouraged by planning chiefs at the council to apply for permission to extend their opening days and was under the impression issues over the campsite had quietened down. She said: 'The main fact is nobody wants a quiet campsite more than we do. 'There is no way we would be able to run if what [neighbours] were saying is true. 'We were asked and encouraged to do this by the director of the national park planning team. 'This has been stormed up by a few people who have really got an axe to grind.' But Ms Kerr - who lives in a thatched cottage - raised concerns for her health and home due to the fire pits in her objection. She said she had to keep her windows shut in the summer, adding: 'We have smelt accelerant being used to light fire pits and we can see the flames through the hedge. 'My insurance company won't allow me to have any type of open fire, in my garden as my property has a thatched roof and yet I can watch ash and burning debris being blown towards our my property when the wind is in my direction.' Michael and Theresa Mayes said living next to Harry's Field has been 'challenging and detrimental to health' for neighbours. The couple said the site is in an 'unusual position' as it is situated in the heart of a small hamlet in fields surrounded by residential housing. They said this has created a 'goldfish bowl effect' which has resulted in an 'extremely unpleasant environment for all those living in the village'. Another resident said the' 'pungent fire pit smoke causes us to shut our windows and doors and retreat indoors on the days when we should be enjoying our gardens and warm weather'. Locals concluded living next to the campsite has been an 'unpleasant, challenging and sometimes downright nasty experience for local people'. They said they have seen campers feeding livestock foods like biscuits, doughnuts, and crisps - which is forbidden in the New Forest. Some claimed while the site is only permitted to open for 28 days, there have been several occasions when the owners have 'illegally' extended this. And they complained of 'anti-social behaviour' from campers, including incidents' of trespass, urinating in neighbours' hedges and feeding livestock. Last week, New Forest Park Authority rejected the application for Harry's Field to open for 52 days per year. The council said the proposed development would have an 'unacceptable adverse impact' on neighbouring properties. Harry's Field is home to the annual village fete - famous for its uphill wheelbarrow race - and Ms Sheriff's family-run campsite business. For over 20 years, Ms Sheriff has run Vivien Sheriff Ltd, a millinery business. She is said to create 'exceptionally original, undeniably British, luxury headwear' which has been worn by the Duchess of Cambridge - including for her first Royal engagement in 2011 - as well as her sister Pippa Middleton. A tent pitch at Harry's Field costs £21 per night with an additional cost of £11 per adult and £5 per child. Campers can also stay in luxury glamping tents, which cost £730 for six nights.
